Top Five Best Pools at the Disney World Resort Hotels

Picking the right hotel can be a challenge and most often guests really want to know one thing: how awesome is the pool? When traveling to Walt Disney World and staying on-site the pool choices are fairly scattered in style between the value, moderate, and deluxe hotels. Based on reviews and guest experiences, here are the top five best pools at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels.

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1. Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation Resort

When it comes to finding a pool that best serves the need of children, the Art of Animation hotel at the Walt Disney World resort will check off most boxes. The Big Blue Pool is located by the Finding Nemo suites and offers larger than life characters decorating the pool. The Art of Animation hotel also has another Cars Land themed pool over by the Cars suites that is also a guest favorite with its cozy cone cabanas and quieter atmosphere. This is a top choice for best pools at Disney World, kids will love this cartoon themed pool!

*Unfortunately, underwater music no longer plays in the Big Blue Pool as Disney ended this feature due to safety concerns.

Pros: character theme, underwater music, value resort makes it more affordable in price

Cons: no hot tub, no water slide

2. Dig Site Pool at Coronado Springs Resort

The Mayan theme of this resort offers a nice blend of theming for adults and for kids. The Dig Site Pool features a 50ft replica of a Mayan pyramid where you can find the 123 foot long jaguar themed water slide. This pool features the largest hot tub out of the on site hotels which can hold up to 22 people. There is a nearby playground and sand area for children to enjoy in addition to the pool. When it comes to hot tubs though, this pool is a top contender in our best pools at Disney World list!

Pros: water slide, large hot tub

Cons: no zero entry access, higher cost of a moderate resort

3. Lava Pool at Polynesian Village Resort

This pool is the perfect blend for families and adults alike. This tropical theme features a fantastic splash pad for kids, a waterfall, a volcano with a built in 43 foot water slide that goes into the large pool. You can find spiked and regular Dole Whips poolside in the Tiki Terrace. You can also see the fireworks from areas of the pool at night which is another added bonus.

Pros: large water slide, great splash pad, firework view, hot tub

Cons: higher cost of a deluxe resort, one of the oldest deluxe resorts

4. Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort

If you're looking for a large pool with plenty of variety, Stormalong Bay has you covered. This beach themed water park area is 3 acres large! Kids can enjoy a life-sized shipwreck replica and a 230 foot long water slide which is one of the highest hotel slides in Walt Disney World. There is a lazy river, three whirlpool spas, and an elevated tanning deck. This sand bottom pool offers a gentle slope, sandy beach area, and a smaller pool with a mini water slide for smaller children. Hands down, this pool can't be overlooked when making a list of best pools at Disney World.

Pros: this is basically an on-site water park for hotel guests, options for every age

Cons: cost of staying at this hotel as one of the high end deluxe options

5. Beach Pool at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

This tranquil pool overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon and offers a ‘natural springs' themed setting with waterfalls. There is a walking bridge that offers a good spot for photo ops of family going down the 181 foot water slide. Guests have the option of purchasing a premium poolside cabana and kids can enjoy an Alice in Wonderland themed water play area with a daily “Un-birthday Pool Party.” This luxury pool is a great candidate for our list of best pools at Disney World.

Pros: kids area is well themed, water slide, hot tub

Cons: cost of staying at this hotel as one of the higher end resort options, unoriginal theme

So after all these options, and this is really just a slice of all the hotels, which should you pick? I think it comes down to the price you're willing to pay for an on-site hotel and what age group you are traveling with. For kids, the Art of Animation pool is a great choice with the large character theming. The downside of no water slide might be a deal breaker for old kids and the missing hot tub for parents. If you have money to spend and want to have it all, consider opting for a deluxe option like Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort which is sure to make everyone happy.

Happy swimming!

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